Women's Entrepreneurial Journeys: Profiles of Leadership in an Era of New Opportunities

The number and scope of women-owned businesses have risen at an unprecedented rate. In an era of new opportunities, this paper profiles eight courageous and resilient women who share their personal stories and the lessons they learned building successful businesses. One theme that emerged from these women’s stories was the critical role of mentorship; another key factor was access to capital. Stemming from four different paths—founded and sold, inherited or bought, founded and still owns, and next generation founders—these stories will inspire you to take the next step in your own entrepreneurial journey.